CASTING-LINES. 43 



chiefly to what is employed, under that denomination, 

 in salmon fishing; indeed, for my own part, I have 

 long ago abjured the use of hair altogether, in the for- 

 mation of my casting-line, except for the purpose I am 

 referring to ; nay, I would reject it even for this pur- 

 pose also, were there any expedient or contrivance 

 known to me that could advantageously be substituted 

 in its place. 



The upper casting-line, generally used by salmon 

 fishers, and requisite as an assistance in throwing the 

 fly, is composed of three or four links of hair, and 

 extends, when these are joined, to about six feet. Each 

 link contains from eighteen to twelve hairs, according 

 to the strength and thickness of the winch-line to 

 which it is intended to be attached. The upper casting- 

 line ought also to taper gradually, so as to admit of the 

 lower or gut one forming, when looped on, a continua- 

 tion with it, in point of thickness. This is managed 

 by diminishing the number of hairs in every successive 

 link; that is to say, supposing the uppermost length is 

 formed of eighteen hairs, the one following should con- 

 tain fifteen, and so on, down to twelve and nine. 



In the making up of casting-lines, great attention 

 should be paid to the knotting and tying, as well as 

 twisting, which some prefer executing solely with the 

 hand, in preference to the machine. I can affirm, how- 

 ever, from experience, that the machine answers the 

 purpose better, not only in point of expedition, but it 

 produces more equal and trustworthy work. Take care, 

 however, not to overtwist the links, and see that the 

 hair, which ought previously to be washed with soap 

 and water, is quite dry. Silk-worm gut, on the con- 

 trary, when spun up into casting-lines, ought to be 

 soaked in hike-warm water, and attached to the machine 



